Un (com)padre para el rey: la relación entre el marqués de Alcañices y Alfonso de Borbón

Alfonso XII’s phylogeny has been the subject of extensive debate and speculation. Beyond the question of his biological progenitor, it is worth exploring who actively embodied and enacted the socio-cultural practices of fatherhood in the life of the King of Spain. This paper examines the paternal relationship that developed between the Marquis of Alcañices and Alfonso de Borbón. This bond emerged during a period marked by a redefinition of family roles and the father-son dynamic, while also being characterized by camaraderie and friendship. This dynamic lent the intimate and emotional aspects of such male relationships a prominent cultural significance.